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Fifteen Minute Gap
5.6 YDS 4c French 14 Ewbanks V UIAA 12 ZA S 4b British
Avg: 1.6 from 27
votes
Routes in Watergate Rock
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Crooked Beat TR 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a |
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Dark Art TR 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b |
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Dirty Tricks T 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a |
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Fifteen Minute Gap T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b |
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H.R. Hardman T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 |
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I Am Not a Crook T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c |
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Malicious Deception T 5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c |
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Midday Lightning S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a |
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Nick of Time S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a |
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Pardon Me T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R |
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Political Asylum T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b |
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Soul Sacrifice TR 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a |
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T-N-T S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b |
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T. Gordon Liddy T 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a |
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Tricky Dick S 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a |
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Unsightly Blemishes T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b |
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White Collar Crime T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c |
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White House Plumbers TR 5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c |
| Type: | Trad, 60 ft (18 m) |
| GPS: | 34.0115, -116.14631 |
| FA: | Dave Houser & Kendall Downing, April 1976 |
| Page Views: | 1,873 total · 8/month |
| Shared By: | Eric Burt on May 30, 2006 · Updates |
| Admins: | Greg Opland, C Miller, Gunkswest, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures Details
Details
1. Vegetation is not allowed to be used as an anchor.
2. Only neutral or rock-colored bolt hangers are allowed. A permit is required to replace or add new bolts: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…
Seasonal Closures:
The presence of a nesting owl in very close proximity to a variety of climbing routes, "Right On," "Orange Flake," "Kid Caligula," requires closure until the nest has been abandoned to ensure the protection of the species for the duration of the nesting activities. This closure will be in effect from February 17, 2026 until June 7, 2026; or until the nest has been abandoned.
The presence of a prairie falcon nesting in very close proximity to a variety of climbing routes requires closure of "Fat Freddie’s Cat,” “Freak Brothers Dome,” “The Weenie,” “Pea Brain,” and “The Red Obelisk." This closure will be in effect from February 17, 2026 until June 7, 2026; or until the nest has been abandoned
For a complete list of climbing rules and closures visit: nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…
Description
This is not a particularly memorable climb, but it does provide an easy way to the top of the formation where TRs can be set for other routes if desired. It is a crack but there are plenty of face moves to augment it as well.
Location
This route ascends the obvious crack on the right hand side of the east face of the formation. The crack is behind the large boulder that hosts the route Political Asylum. One can either start FMG in a small chimney behind the boulder, or scramble up left of the boulder to a nice belay ledge. The latter approach starts on easy face moves to reach the crack.
The historically correct name should be Eighteen Minute Gap, as that's the real length of time erased from Nixon's Oval Office recording that implicated him in the Watergate break-in.
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